Chapter 9
Michael
Istood before Bianca, awed by her beauty as I’d always been. The years might not have been kind to her during her marriage, but they’d been extremely kind to her flawless face. Small lines around her eyes indicated that she was now a fully-mature woman, but otherwise, she appeared much as she had under the stars on that ill-fated night.
Her honey-colored eyes were mesmerizing, and even though she wore no makeup, her features were stunning. My body hardened as I gazed at her, unable to deny the attraction I’d always felt toward her.
“Did you kidnap me just to stare at me?” she asked, crossing her arms over her chest.
My lips twitched at her defiant tone. I was the most powerful man on the East Coast, and grown men cowed before me, but this spitfire goddess dared to speak to me as if I were dirt on the bottom of her shoe.
“I could stare at you all day, stella, but no, that’s not why Nick took you.” Glaring at my cousin, I gestured with my head toward the door. “Leave us.”
Nick nodded, first at me and then at Bianca, and left the room, closing the door behind him.
“I apologize for your rough treatment, stella,” I said, lowering to sit on the desk as she eyed me warily. “Leo said you wanted to talk.”
Scoffing, she stomped her foot. “A phone call or a text would’ve been nice. And don’t call me that!”
“Stella?” I asked, loving the flare of her nostrils at the endearment. “You didn’t seem to mind all those years ago...”
“When I was an innocent girl who let you weave your hand under my dress?” she asked, her tone antagonistic. “She’s long gone, I assure you. I wanted to talk to you because I need your help, not because I’m interested in anything else.”
My lips thinned as I absently kicked my leg back and forth in slow motions beside the wooden desk. “We’ll see.”
Her eyes narrowed to slits as she studied me. “What does that mean?”
My chest expanded as I inhaled a deep breath. “I know of your predicament, Bianca. Victor left you and Alexis with nothing, the heartless bastard. I’m surprised you asked Leo to reach out to me, but I do want to help you.”
A sarcastic laugh exited her perfect lips, echoing with incredulity as glanced around the room. “You shouldn’t have brought me to your home. John and Simon will know—”
“John and Simon will be dead soon enough. I’m not worried about them. I’m worried aboutyou, stella.”
Releasing a heavy breath, her shoulders relaxed slightly before tensing again. “This was a terrible idea. I need to go.” She pivoted and walked to the door, tugging the doorknob to no avail. “Hello?” she cried, pounding the door. Glancing over her shoulder, she narrowed her eyes. “Let me out.Now.”
“You know, I would have most men killed for speaking to me in that tone,” I said softly.
“Then kill me,” she said, a challenge in her eyes. God, she was so gorgeous like this, filled with fire and determination. I wanted to see her like this in my bed, beneath me as I finally claimed her luscious body as I should’ve done so long ago.
“I find that I like you better alive,” I murmured, arching a brow.
Emitting a huff, she rolled her eyes and crossed the room to stand before me. “Fine. Let’s start over. Hi,” she asked sarcastically, extending her hand. “I’m the woman you once proposed to whose husband you killed, leaving her homeless and in danger.”
I grinned and shook her hand, loving the feel of her soft skin against my palm.
“My daughter is also in danger,” she said, fear entering her eyes. “I don’t care so much about me, but I’ll die to protect her. And that is where I hope you’ll help me.”
I stood, showing my palm to ease her. “As I said, I want to help you, Bianca. Victor’s men know about the flash drive with the shipment dates, and they’ll do anything to get that information.”
Her throat bobbed as terror for her daughter laced her features. “I know.”
“John, Simon and the rest of Victor’s capos want to wrest power from me, and completing the last years’ worth of Victor’s shipments will help them achieve that goal. I must solidify my power now, and I need to make a bold statement to ensure that everyone knows that I’m the head of the Rossi family. I will be assuming Victor’s mantle and bringing his organization into my fold.”
“His men will never allow you to do that,” she said, shaking her head. “They’ll never submit to a Caruso.”
“My darling,” I said, my voice dry, “I don’t plan to give them a choice.”
“How are you going to force them to accept Caruso leadership?”
